Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

after mercury had proved ineffectual. In a former Number we have noticed M. La Beaume's scientific publication on Galvanism and Electricity. We have now the pleasure to introduce to our Readers another work by Mr. James Price, an experienced and scientific surgeon of London, entitled "An Essay on the Medical Application of Elictricity and Galvanism;" to which he has added, "A concise descriptive account of the diseases incident to the human frame; and particularly those to the cure of which he considers electricity and galvanism applicable." He has been induced to offer the work to the public, by the success which has attended his practice in the use of electricity.

[ocr errors]

Those diseases (says he) arising from a derangement of the functions of the digestive organs, commonly called bilious, nervous, &c. are relieved by a modification of this powerful agent; and in habitual constipation of the bowels,chronic reheumatism,some species of deafness, and habitual asthma, its application is almost invariably successful. Were this agent beneficial in no other complaints than in those to which females are peculiarly subjected, it must be considered as extremely useful. I can state with confidence, that in my practice, by the aid of this active principle, I have succeeded in relieving those diseases where every other means have failed. This agent is perfectly manageable, and may be applied without giving more pain than can be borne by an infant, since shocks are rendered unnecessary. That universal success should attend the application of this agent in every disease more than any other, would be ridiculous to assert. I am well aware at the same time that want of success very frequently arises from the want of knowledge of the mode of applying it; defective apparatus, or what is equally probable, ignorance of the disease which it was intended should be relieved. The beneficial effects of this active principle, that is itself an important part of our constitution, must be so obvious, that comments in this place appear unnecessary, further than to state that it meets with the approbation of the professional characters of the greatest eminence in every country."

Mr. Price, like a man of science whose object is to lessen the sum of human misery, to restore the afflicted to health, and to increase the comforts of those whose cases admit only of palliation, points out the medical treatment of the disease, in which electricity and galvanism may be employed with the most decided advantage, and gives very explicit instruction for its application in each. The following extract will enable our readers to form their own opinions of the professional merits of Mr. Price :

"Nine-tenths of diseases, local and general, arise from a derangement of the digestive organs, however induced. Bilious complaints, as they are commonly called, with their long train of symptoms,—as giddiness, pain in the head, feverish heat, restlessness, cramp, melancholy, &c. as well as those unhappy feelings called nervous, may be traced to a derangement of the digestive organs, where the indications of cure are to restore their functions, when in proportion to the success attending such attempts, the general health is amended. Complaints that are considered local, some species of blindness, deafness,

&c. arise from the same cause, and the successful mode of treatment is to restore the functional derangement of the digestive organs, as well as in all chronic and constitutional complaints,-such as scrofula, scirrhous, cancer, gout, &c. The peculiarity of constitution, implied by the terms scrofulous, scirrhous, or gouty habits, cannot, perhaps, by any mode of treatment, be effectually changed; but great progress has been made to ameliorate the sufferings of these, by paying due attention to those functions upon which all others more or less depend-the functions of the digestive organs; attending to the quantity and quality of the food, is one of the most essential points, either as a curative indication or a preventive. Where there has been aberration from a state of health for some time, a little medicine may be required, which will most essentially be assisted in its operation by the judicious application of the electricfluid indeed the latter application may supersede the necessity for taking medicine in many instances. It may not be improper to state here, that the greater number of my patients have come to be electrified with the greatest apprehension, from a supposition that the operation would be painful, who are not the less surprised when they find that so far is it from being painful, it is even applied to diseases of that delicate organ, the eye, and the sharpest application that is required to be made, in any case, can be borne by the most delicate female, or even an infant. Many hundreds of the fair sex perish annually from complaints peculiar to them, which might be restored to perfect health, by the judicious application of this agent. I regard it as a specific, having never, in any one instance, failed to produce the desired effects, by some for years, where every other means had proved unsuccessful. Electricity may also be applied in all cases of chronic inflammation of the liver; inflammation, or ulcerated sore throat; chronic inflammation of the joints, as well as white swellings; rheumatism: the latter, I may say, it is a specific for, as I never apply it but with complete success; erysipelas; paralysis; pectoral angina; hypochondriacism; asthma; melancholy; dropsy; obstinate remittents; spasms; numbness and coldness of the limbs; scrofulous tumours; eruptions on the face; hydrocephalus internus; violent pains in the head; sprains; scirrhous glands; defective secretion of urine; involuntary flow of urine; defective secretion in the testes, and inability to enjoy the softer pleasures, that frequently arise from pernicious practices of youth, and other causes; chilblains. it is a specific for; ulcers, some cases of which have come under my care, where they could not be healed in many months application of adhesive plaister, bandages, &c. that have healed as if by charm, by the application of electricity; ganglions; chronic opthalmia; opacity of the cornea, &c. &c. :-thus this tremendous agent in the operations of nature, that excites so much terror, is now brought to be directly subservient to man, and applied to disease, in such a manner, to which the most timid may submit without the least apprehension: even the old mode of electrifying by shocks, is found not only unnecessary, but improper. The different applications are the electric aura, sparks, and vibratory motion, the intensity of which are modified as circumstances indicate."

It may appear strange to some of our non-medical readers, that an agent so active should be applicable to diseases opposite in their nature; but the effect of electricity depends on the manner in which it is applied. When it is conveyed in sparks, it operates as a stimulant, rousing the action of the nerves; but when the aura is applied, it allays nervous irritation, and abates inflammatory action. In cases of acute inflammation of the eyes, the electric aura was a very favorite remedy with the late Dr. Campbell, an eminent physician of Stafford; and at the Hereford Infirmary we have applied the aura, in cases of the inflammation of the eye and of morbid excitement of the optic nerve, with the most striking advantage. Mr. Price's work we consider a very valuable production, and as such we recommend it to theperusal of our Readers.-Independent of being a popular dissertation on electricity and galvanism, it will be found to be a good work for domestic and indeed professional reference, in a great variety of diseases.

CONTRACTED LIMBS.-The following is a sketch of an instrument, which Mr. Gaitskill, of Rotherhithe, has found highly useful in counteracting morbid contractions of the flexor muscles of the leg, the sequel of chronic inflammation of the knee joint and its appendages.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

* Made by Baker and Co. 24, Bedford Street, Covent Garden.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

od ods

[ocr errors]

nds to obla to

[ocr errors]

VOL. VI.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

4 s

The outline Mr. G. states, was copied from an instrument in possession of one of his apprentices, who was lame and recovered the full use of his leg by the aid of it, after wearing a high-heeled shoe for four years. It was recommended to him by an empiric, who received twenty guineas for the cure, and completed it in twelve. months. Mr. G. has published the following case in which he employed the instrument with success.

"A delicate boy, about six years of age, was attacked with a scrofulous inflammation of the left knee joint, which terminated in suppuration, with symptoms of hectic fever. He was so emaciated, as to appear a perfect skeleton. In this state, being a patient in one of the hospitals, amputation was proposed; but his mother refusing her consent, he was brought home and placed under my care, without the smallest hope of recovery.

"After twelve months severe suffering from several abscesses discharging at numerous apertures, he finally recovered, but with such a contraction of the flexor muscles of the leg, as to draw it considerably backward; when standing erect the foot rested on his toe. The medical treatment consisted of hemlock fomentations, linseedmeal poultices, bark, and soda, with pure air, and nutritious diet. Should the instrument, observes Mr. Gaitskill, prove as useful to others as those I have advised to make trial of it, I shall feel thankful to the inventor, and happy in having made it known to the public."

EXPLANATION OF THE SKETCH.

A, a steel bow, with a joint in the centre; C, which advances to, or recedes from the steel bow, B, by a small screw, C, aided by a female nut. The male screw is pinned into the joint, and works through a perferation in the bow, B, which the nut regulates.

B. A steel bow without a joint, fixed on the projection of steel D, at the lower end of A, and groved above, to move on a similar projection at the end. D, two projections of iron.

E, A concave thin plate of elastic iron, lined on the concave side by thin leather, stuffed with wool, and on the convex with dogskin, and rivetted firmly to A.

F, A similar plate with letter E, and made of the same materials. E. embraces the calf of the leg, and F the ham strings, which become two fixed points, and are separated or brought nearer, in proportion as A is straightened or curved.

G. A broad thin iron plate, elastic and lined inside and out with leather fixed into A, the joint C being its centre. This goes to the posterior side of the joint, and his hollow behind the ham-strings, while the broard leather H comes over the patella and sides of the knee with three straps perforated to buckle on G.

H, The broad flap.

III, The straps.

One hole of the strap is to be taken up every third day, which extends the joint gradually. It is only to be worn in the daytime. At night the space between the calf of the leg and the back of the thigh is to be filled with a convex piece of wood, or cork, adapted to the parts, and confined on with some yards of tape or

bandage, to preserve the extension which the instrument may have gained in the day time.

PURULENT DISCHARGE FROM THE EAR. The following judicious remarks on this very unpleasant, and often very obstinate disease, are from the pen of Mr. Swan, a scientific surgeon, of Lincoln:

[ocr errors]

"Doubts have long existed in the minds of many men of the highest eminence in the profession, about the proper treatment of diseases of the ear when attended by a purulent discharge. different indeed have been the modes and sentiments of different practitioners, that some have been entirely averse to any attempts to check the discharge.

"Mr. Saunders, to whom the world is much indebted for his researches into the nature and treatment of diseases of the ear, has not objected to putting a stop to the discharge in any case; and his plan is acted upon, at the present time, with the greatest advantage in general, to those who are affected with this disease: but as cases now and then occur, where the stoppage of the discharge, or even the attempt to stop it, is attended with dangerous, and often fatal consequences, I thought it might not be amiss to endeavour to point out the cases where experience shows there is ground for such apprehensions.

"The case I am about to relate is by no means uncommon; but I bring it forward, because, where similar ones have ended fatally, so little notice has hitherto been taken of them, with a view to point out the best method of treatment.

"Mr. S, aged 50, had an inflammation of the membrane of the tympany, which terminated in suppuration, when abscess broke and relieved him; he afterwards complained much of his head, and had a disordered stomach. He had blisters applied, for the relief of his head, and took occasional doses of blue pill, and some other medicines. As he continued in a bad state of health, he went into the country, for change of air, where, as the discharge of the ear continued, he was recommended to use an astringent injection, as the means of putting a stop to it. After a few weeks he returned home, much benefited by his journey. Though he still complained of his head, yet, as he had used the injection without any apparent injury, I did not object to his persevering in the use of it.

"On the evening of the 8th of October I found him complaining of great dizziness, with some pain and confusion of the head. As he had eaten a hearty dinner, I conceived that the symptoms might proceed from the stomach. I therefore prescribed for him four grains of calomel, and some purging medicines, desiring at the same time, that the injection might be entirely discontinued. The next morning I found him no better, and though the pulse was hardly affected, yet I suspected the irritation from the ear had extended to the membranes of the brain, and thought the inflammation of them might possibly be impending. I took some blood from the arm, which relieved him very much. I ordered a blister to be applied to the back of the neck, and the following draught and bolus to be taken every four hours :

« AnteriorContinua »